Recommended by Andrew Martineau

This monologue encapsulates the sadness and profound loss of losing a parent, and how the reduction of cherished objects into one small box adds to a grown child’s overall grief and guilt.
Debra Cole has written a monologue with a spectrum of emotion so concisely and expertly, that this short piece could be used for playwriting students on how to craft a monologue that reveals complex feelings without unnecessary words. Wonderful!

The choices we make that lead to life or death situations can be as difficult as dealing with the actions that others cruelly inflict upon us. There is so much nuance in this brief drama packed with decisions that make us question our own ethical stances. Richard Lyons Conlon has crafted a powerful, thought-provoking play that will stay with me for a long time. Great stuff!

The Meadow is one of those short mystery "noir" plays that you pat yourself on the back halfway through when you think you have figured out where it's headed, only to find out there is a last minute twist you had not seen coming! I saw an excellent video production of the play with strong performances by actors obviously relishing in the expertly crafted dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Having read several plays in this series of devastating and emotionally raw real life dramas, I wasn’t quite prepared for the ending. Swenson shows how complex and confusing trauma from abuse at a very young age can be. Joey’s remarkable bravery and ultimately, his forgiveness, cuts deep and offers a lesson in survival and for living that I will never forget. Incredibly moving, as is the whole series. Thank you, Joe.

I was highly entertained by this fractured version of Red and the Wolf, and I must say it may me think about the story in a more serious light. That’s not to say this isn’t funny. Red has some very funny lines. What I found touching is how this deals with the need to connect and the playful connections exhibited in unexpected ways. It made me think about all the seniors who were unable to see loved ones for so long during the pandemic. Wonderful storytelling!

SIBLINGS deals with very human sexual urges of a disabled brother with frank insights that could lead to a highly impactful post-show discussion. Hodges handles the sensitive topic with skill as a dramatic, compelling play and not simply a lecture. The opportunities for actors to show a wide range of complex emotions in this short play is amazing. Well done, David!

Triptych has such remarkable, refreshing character motivation and subtlety. I was enthralled by serendipitous meeting of these three very likable, intriguing people. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and I was pleasantly surprised at how the narrator contributes to this very modern story by offering insight into the complexities of the intertwined relationships. It has a wonderful ending, as well!

I love the meta theatrical take on Godot, and how people in awkward conversations will quote lines from movies or from something they have read and completely ignore the original context. So the thought of imagining an actor playing us as another person or character, regardless of gender, personality, or anything remotely resembling ourselves, is very intriguing. I would really like to to see a live performance of this very witty, absurd play.

I remember a playwriting instructor once saying that plays are never about ordinary moments. They should be about extraordinary moments. This is an extraordinary play about an extraordinary moment, perfectly fitted (pardon the pun) for the ten minute format. It has pathos, heart and genuine emotion. What a gift for three actors to play, and what a special, extraordinary experience for an audience to witness.

It is rare for me to actually laugh out loud when reading a comic play, but I did a few times with this very clever, very astute comedy in which a bureaucratic god assigns modern-day positions to skeptical gods-in-training. I can see Mattson’s play being a huge hit in short play festivals, and what a gift to actors! I love the whole concept and execution. Excellent!